The merged organisation is due to launch in April as part of a national plan to cut the number of ICBs from 42 to 26 and halve running costs by 50% in 2025-26.

In the agenda for today's board meeting the ICB said it had approved 289 redundancy applications with 23 rejected.

Amanda Lyes, executive director of people and workforce, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, said: ‘A staff consultation on the proposed restructure was launched in November 2025, following the national requirement for all NHS ICBs to reduce their running costs by 50%.

‘This Government proposal aims to free up resources to invest in frontline NHS services by reducing the spend on management. This would be achieved with an estimated workforce of 673 across Norfolk and Suffolk compared to the current combined workforce of 1,200, with the ICBs for both counties merging to become the NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board from April 1 2026.

‘Over the coming weeks the consultation feedback will be carefully considered and we will be sharing outcomes with our staff and stakeholders as soon as practicable.

‘This is a challenging time for all colleagues working in the ICB and I continue to be impressed with their high levels of professionalism, and offer my thanks for their continued hard work.'

Unison Eastern regional organiser Rad Kerrigan said: ‘Hundreds of staff are now taking their skills and experience out of the NHS because of shambolic orders from Westminster.

‘It's no wonder so many want to leave after months of uncertainty during which their work has been derided as bureaucracy.

‘It remains to be seen how the new structures will pan out, but they're being hobbled from the start by the sheer volume of cuts that the government is demanding from ICBs.'